James Anderson walked to the crease knowing the Test match was over. Not even the greatest rain dance of all time was going to save him from the fiery chin music set to hail down from Mitchell Johnson.
Naturally, the Australians let him know about it.
George Bailey piped up from his position close to the bat, and that prompted the No. 11 batsman into a response, which in turn drew the umpires and Michael Clarke into the equation.
Clarke’s response – seen in the video below at around the 44 second mark – has now made headlines right around the world.
The British tabloids are no doubt labelling him as a villain and a classless individual given the fact the Aussies were about to win the Test.
There’s probably a fair share of Australians who would echo those sentiments.
Yet what’s most interesting is the large portion of Aussies who watched it, had a laugh and a clap and then enjoyed the post-match celebrations that followed.
The sledging (and dutiful follow-up on the sledge) was applauded more than it was criticised, which is an intriguing context to find ourselves in.
Australians have never been shy of giving a bit of lip, with many wearing that tag-line with pride.
There are always going to be those who wish we were classier and would refrain from a comment like Clarke’s, which isn’t clever nor insightful.
Their point is certainly valid – but their feelings are, more often than not, simply not heard.
And if they are, they’re just laughed at dismissively.
For me, Clarke’s comments are a non-story. They shouldn’t take away from any part of the result and, if we’re going to be brutally honest, are by no means the worst thing that’s ever been said out in the middle.
And it’s a little rich for a country that invented Bodyline to think otherwise.
But the notion of the way in which Clarke’s comments are being celebrated is by far the more intriguing story.
Australians have become masters of the ‘psychological approach’ and many have celebrated that fact, but at the same time, there’s also a sense we’d like our professional sportspeople (who are still meant to be role models) to refrain from comments usually heard in the playground.
What do you think Roarers? Are you proud of Australian sportspeople and their sledging, or do you wish they were just a little classier?
Shaun
Guest
You either see sledging as part of the game or you don't - I do and thought Anderson copped one for whining. Anyone who disagrees can face up and get ready.........
Selmy
Guest
Does that include chuntering away as the ball's being bowled?
Blaze
Guest
So why single out siddle? When, like I said, broad, anderson and yes even trott did it to Watson...? Two wrongs may not make a right, however singling out players is ridiculous.
FlameThrower
Guest
Shame England Shame. If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen, or maybe you can run and hide behind the umpire's skirt. You want to give it out but don't like it when it comes back and hurts. Good on you Clarke, you did a captains job three times. You won the game, you won the argument and you took your very unnecessary medicine without comment. A Captains Captain.
Simon R
Guest
@ Shaun, Sport is played in controlled environment with consequences for unsportsmanlike actions. The point I made, is that I'm passionate about Cricket and would love to see my team succeed. I'm excited and feel this team now has a new found level of enthusiasm and passion distilled throughout. The fact is some of these players have gotten to known each other on personal levels over the last 8 years or so and in a match with no team wanting to lose, the heat of the moment can take over. Things get said, its easy to understand Clarke's comment had no serious intent behind it. However in an attempt to belittle another person by questioning their mental capability and resorting to name calling, with whom you've never met before is a malicious act. This is bullying and intimidation.This is hypocritical to expect others to be perfect in the heat of a sporting match, when you yourself weren't able to show the same level of decency, given the time you have to recollect your thoughts. Your comment was no more than assumptions and name calling. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these are main characteristics of a "uncouth bogan with no class" or a person from a "dysfunctional society". What if I have a mental disability? Then making fun of my mentality would be a hate crime. Your main point is that it's unacceptable behavior, then show that same level of behavior. I'm glad your 12yo turns to T.V for a role model in their life. I feel they would become a more complete person in society than having you as that 'role model'.
AlanKC
Guest
Yes, he's a complete clown and shouldn't be allowed anywhere a microphone/journalist. He does however thrive on being slagged by the crowd and the opposition vis-a-vis his return to the test team in England when everyone had a crack at him. That I admire much more than the dummy spitting of many sledgers.
AlanKC
Guest
With the exceptions Border, Waugh and Ponting each captain you named lived in a different era with different norms of behaviour. Given that each of them were hard men I'd back all of them (apart from Bradman) to take part as vigorously as any of the new era captains. Apart from that I'd also add that Ponting was anything but classy, as evidence I cite his massive dummy spit when Duncan Fletcher gave him a smile after he'd been run out by a substitute fielder. Really, I doubt you know what you're talking about with cricket.
AlanKC
Guest
Really good points all. In regard to Channel 9 broadcasting the comment - what the heck happened to the 7 second delay that was introduced after Ian Chappell's f@#k incident?... They should have been fined before Clarke.
AlanKC
Guest
Interesting given most comments, when a losing team starts to chat, are of the 'look at the scoreboard di3kh3@d" variety??
AlanKC
Guest
hardly Warner's fault - I'd look more at the team management who allowed him to tour in that state. That's a complete disregard for player welfare (much like the selection of Kurtley Beale to play the Lions straight out of rehab).
JimmyB
Guest
I don't know if there was any racist abuse directed towards Carberry or not, but what I'm finding strange is this schoolyard tactic of justifying something by citing something else as an excuse or validation. It suggests the argument is fairly weak. Racist abuse is ok, because Aussies have been called convicts. Wrong. Really skewed logic I'm afraid.
V44
Roar Rookie
Like most here I think Clarke's "comment" to Anderson was fine. What is said on the field stays on the field. Anderson is a known chatterer himself so if you live by the sword etc. I really liked that Bailey got into him and it obviously rankled. What erks me most is Anderson allowing the umps to get involved...man up you pommie wimp. As regards news that Trott is off home for some R&R, for a bloke with so called "issues" he is very happy to also dish it out, you would think if you were "mentally fragile" you would be taking a back seat and keeping a low profile,not Trott, just ask Watson after his dismissal in 2nd Innings. And what about Andy Flower calling a Pommie Press only press conference to announce Trott's departure, another weak attempt to use the Pommie press to mount pressure on CA to reign in the Aussie attacks. What would happen if Boof called a press conference and banned the Pommies...all hell would break loose. A joke call by a very weak and dare I say somewhat "shell shocked" team management. Finally, lets not forget the role played by Channel 9 in all this...if they had followed their own rules and protocols none of this would reached "public ears"...once again "Buzzard" McNamara strikes a blow for ratings over rules. He has no real regard for Cricket or the players, only 9's ratings. No doubt 9's management love him but maybe it is time he took a leaf out of his own book and think about where he would be if not for cricket and luckily Channel 9, probably picking up beers in a pub in Hurstville. Once a dope always a dope.
Bob Wandstraat
Guest
It's not about sledging; it's the turning of bodyline into headline. Persistent bowling above the shoulder to tail-enders is bully-boy tactics and un-sportsmanlike.
Andy
Guest
If you knew anything about cricket ( and you've pretty much proved that you don't) you'd know its an ICC matter which England cannot influence. And try and write a post not using the word 'sook' and maybe you wont end up sounding like a bleating kid
JimmyB
Guest
Chui. Ozone comment was a joke. The ICC is charging Clarke. What's that got to do with England or the English? We don't know what Anderson was saying to Dar, but it was Dar who approached Anderson, not the other way around. Now who looks silly? David Warner?
Seb Vettel
Guest
lol he doesn't have an image... not since Bingle took him to the image cleaners
Vic
Guest
Think Darryll Cullinan had the sledging over Warnie, even though Warnie regularly bowled him. Funny sledging, clever sledging anytime - the swearing is just school boy stuff.
Richard
Guest
Sad... Absolutely beautiful is how I would describe it. These Englishman have soft underbellies and Trotts departure has exposed it for all the world to see. Its now time for the disemboweling. It might be a quick clean one or a long slow messy one. We shall see!
Richard
Guest
Not far enough.. he could have said he'll break your f..ing Head. That would have been better :) I agree with Warne et al.. this it not tiddly winks. Just because there are cameras and microphones everywhere we shouldn't change the way the Ashes are played. I want to hear this stuff. I want to hear the passion. I want to hear the moment when thier chief sledger gets back as good as he gives.
Richard
Guest
Whatever he did worked, because he got out straight after caught and bowled Johnston.. :) Game and Set.. but not match(yet)